Excursions from Dambulla can bring out the adventurous side in you. Your Dambulla Tours will be fun-filled and insightful, as you'll be awe-struck by the many caves, cave temples and forestry in this region. Excursions from Dambulla will surely keep you wanting for more.
Caves
Dambulla Tourism offers its tourists an excursion to the caves in Dambulla. There are more than 80 caves which were primarily occupied by monks, who used to meditate there. The caves worth mentioning are:
Maha-Raja_Viharaya (also called The Temple of the Great King)
Golden Cave Temple
The other caves include:
Popham arboretum -Dambulla Rock Temple
This cave which was built in the 1st Century B.C., comprises of five cave temples. The name Dambulla comes from the rock, Damba and fountain, Ulla. History has it that the caves were a shelter to King Valagam Bahu, when he was sent into exile by Anuradhapura. The caves are 150 meters in high. There are innumerable paintings and statues present here. The statues belong to the Hindu religion and date back to the12th Century AD. There are also 48 statues of Lord Buddha. The paintings are believed to be of the 18th Century AD and adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves. Some of the later kings made a few improvements. King Nissanka Malla constructed the Ran Giri-Golden Rock, which is the interior gilded.
Golden Temple
This is a sacred temple at Dambulla, located at high point, which makes climbing to the point a challenge. It comprises of 5 caves and houses many statues of Lord Buddha and paintings, which are both secular and religious in theme. You'll be awe-stricken by the interiors of the caves.
Cave Temple
There are 5 caves that were cut out from a huge rock. It is believed that the caves were used as a place of hiding. The paintings here date back to the 15th and 16th Centuries. The cost of entry is Rs 500. In 1991, the Cave Temple was taken into Unesco's World Heritage List.
Menikdena-Dambulla temple
This is an Archaeological Reserve as well as an arboretum. It is located at a distance of 12 miles from the town of Dambulla and in close proximity to Matale. The arboretum is filled with the ruins of statues of Buddha, Chapter House, Bo tree and Dagoba. The Department of Archeology has undertaken the task to restore as well as preserve these ruins.
Iron Wood Forest
Your Dambulla Travel would be incomplete without a visit to the Iron Wood Forest. History states that King Dappula of the 10th Century AD declared this piece of land as a sanctuary for humans. It is said that those who took refuge here planted trees. This in turn became an extensive Iron wood plantation, thus the name Iron Wood Forestry.
Rose Quartz Mountain
Besides this, the Rose Quartz is another interesting place to add to your Dambulla excursion. It is a mountain range which is said to be 500 million years old. Quartz of the colors rose, white and violet is found here.
Excursions from Dambulla are sure to make your Dambulla Tour a memorable one.
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